Ecuadorian Households Reshape Spending Priorities as Food, Connectivity and Transport Lead Family Budgets
Quito, Ecuador — Ecuadorian households are becoming smaller, more digitally connected and increasingly focused on essential services, according to the latest National Household Income and Expenditure Survey (ENIGHUR) 2024–2025 released by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC).
The survey, conducted across 35,398 households nationwide, provides the country’s first comprehensive update in 12 years on how Ecuadorians earn income, spend money and manage their household budgets in both urban and rural areas.
One of the most notable findings is the continued decline in household size. The average Ecuadorian household now consists of 3.3 people, down from 5.4 members in 1975, reflecting long-term demographic and social changes. Meanwhile, the average number of income earners per household has remained relatively stable at around two people.
Household incomes have also increased significantly. Between 2011–2012 and 2024–2025, real monetary household income grew by 44.3%, while non-monetary income—including goods, services and other benefits—increased by 53.5%. Today, the average Ecuadorian household earns USD 1,135 per month and spends approximately USD 930, indicating that most families are generating more income than they spend.
Urban households report average monthly incomes of USD 1,247, compared with USD 793 in rural areas.
Food remains the largest household expense, accounting for 22.2% of national monthly consumer spending. Transportation ranks second at 12.9%, followed by housing-related costs, including utilities and fuel, at 10.9%. Spending on restaurants and accommodation services now represents 9.4% of household expenditures, while information and communication services account for 5.7%.
The survey highlights Ecuador’s growing digital connectivity. Internet access is now available in 74.3% of homes nationwide, reaching 78.3% in urban areas and 62.2% in rural communities. Mobile phone ownership has expanded dramatically, with 95.2% of households reporting access to cellular service in 2025, compared with 84.5% in 2012. In contrast, traditional landline usage has declined sharply from 36.8% to just 10.7%.
Within the information and communication category, internet services represent nearly half of total spending, underscoring the increasing importance of connectivity in daily life.
Despite the growth of modern retail options, neighborhood stores remain the primary source of food purchases for Ecuadorian families, accounting for 42.9% of all food and non-alcoholic beverage acquisitions. Traditional markets follow with 23.9%.
Among food products, bread is the most frequently purchased item, representing 6.5% of all monthly food transactions. However, fresh whole chicken accounts for the largest share of food spending, representing 6.7% of monthly household food expenditures.
The survey also reveals widespread adoption of household technology. Common items found in both urban and rural homes include stoves, mobile phones, refrigerators, blenders and smart televisions.
Education levels continue to influence spending power. Households led by individuals with higher education or postgraduate degrees report average monthly consumption expenditures of USD 1,082, compared with just USD 293 among households headed by individuals with little or no formal education.
Overall, the ENIGHUR 2024–2025 findings portray an Ecuador that is increasingly connected, characterized by smaller households and evolving consumption patterns. While food remains families’ top financial priority, spending on transportation, digital services and connectivity has become increasingly significant. The survey also shows improved household financial stability, with the share of households earning more than they spend rising from 58.9% in 2011–2012 to 71.2% in 2024–2025, while the proportion of households spending more than they earn fell from 41.1% to 28.8%.
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